contract applies to a drawing together of surfaces or particles or a reduction of area or length.
caused her muscles to contract
shrink implies a contracting or a loss of material and stresses a falling short of original dimensions.
the sweater will shrink when washed
condense implies a reducing of something homogeneous to greater compactness without significant loss of content.
condense the essay into a paragraph
compress implies a pressing into a small compass and definite shape usually against resistance.
compressed cotton into bales
constrict implies a tightening that reduces diameter.
the throat is constricted by a tight collar
deflate implies a contracting by reducing the internal pressure of contained air or gas.
deflate the balloon
Example Sentences
Verbcompress the air in a closed chamber Her lips compressed into a frown. a material that compresses easily This type of file compresses easily.
Recent Examples on the Web
Verb
Surplus power is used to compress air and store it under pressure in subterranean caverns. Rebecca Cairns, CNN, 1 Aug. 2022 Phillips is wearing a faja, a waist-trainer-like garment worn to compress the midsection and lift the buttocks.New York Times, 11 May 2022 The amount of weight on the bed determines how much the mattress will compress and cradle your body. Jamie Kim, Good Housekeeping, 28 Apr. 2022 The date provided Thursday reflects the progress crews have made in recent months, most notably the final post-tensioning of nearly 50 miles of new cable, which compress the span of the bridge to strengthen the concrete, The Seattle Times reports. From Usa Today Network And Wire Reports, USA TODAY, 18 Aug. 2022 Either persistently high inflation or a return to 2%-plus real rates would compress multiples, making stocks' dive much faster and steeper. Shawn Tully, Fortune, 26 May 2022 For this last step, Midleton will begin using mechanical vapor recompression technology to capture, compress and reuse waste heat. Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 16 June 2022 The act of squeezing through a woman’s birth canal can compress a stillborn baby’s chest cavity and lungs, and once the baby is out of the canal, the lungs expand and can take in air, Davis said. Cory Shaffer, cleveland, 12 June 2022 Sonia Yanes focused on adaptive design, paying attention to details that were both functional and fashionable, like buttonhole pleats that compress and release.Vogue, 23 May 2022
Noun
People experiencing heat exhaustion should seek air-conditioning, take a cool shower or use a cold compress, or drink water if the person is fully conscious, NWS recommends.The Indianapolis Star, 20 July 2022 So one way to combat the pain is to relieve that tension by applying a hot or cold compress to your head, neck, or shoulders. Carly Vandergriendt, SELF, 19 May 2022 Apply a cold compress for 10 minutes to reduce the swelling and itching. Cierra Britten, The Enquirer, 28 June 2022 The welcoming staff greets me with a cold compress and tea elixir, both seeped in star anise, as a sensory pick-me-up after the hour-long drive from Cancun airport. Cori Murray, Essence, 11 May 2022 Other ways to treat morning headaches caused by tension include a warm or cold compress to ease the pain, a warm shower to relax tense muscles, or a massage to loosen trigger points. Rebecca Joy Stanborough, SELF, 19 Apr. 2022 Apply a cold compress or ice pack to your head or neck. Abigail Libers, SELF, 2 Mar. 2022 The man’s son, his primary caregiver, puts drops in his mouth, then dips a cold compress in water, placing it on his forehead. Ken Budd, Anchorage Daily News, 12 Dec. 2021 Applying a cool compress can help numb the pain in your head, Dr. Csere says. Sara Gaynes Levy, SELF, 17 Nov. 2021 See More
Word History
Etymology
Verb
Middle English, from Late Latin compressare to press hard, frequentative of Latin comprimere to compress, from com- + premere to press — more at press
Noun
Middle French compresse, from compresser to compress, from Late Latin compressare